UPDATE 2.30 PM. Google re-introduces AI Overviews in Romania after a bug that affected all searches on Friday morning. Now, AI Overviews are on top of selected searches.

Original news: Friday, August 8th, 07.30: Google AI Overviews lack in searches from Romania

In a move that has surprised many digital marketers and publishers, Google’s AI Overviews—the AI-powered summaries that appear at the top of specific search results—are no longer active in Romania.

Live testing carried out by Valahia News on August 8, 2025, early in the morning, using tens of queries that previously triggered AI Overviews, confirms the change. Searches such as “how to make a sourdough starter step by step” and “why is the sky blue” now return the traditional Google results layout, with no AI-generated answer box.

There are hundreds of specific queries tested, but the above are among the classic examples. No query is still bringing AI Overviews results on top of the classical feed – instead, only snippet features or organic results.

What AI Overviews Are

Launched globally in May 2025, AI Overviews quickly became one of Google’s most talked-about features. By synthesising information from multiple sources, they provided users with a concise answer directly in the search results, often reducing the need to click through to individual websites.

While convenient for users, AI Overviews had a significant impact on SEO strategies and organic traffic, as many websites saw a drop in clicks when answers were displayed directly in the SERPs.

Impact on Romania’s Digital Landscape

With the removal of AI Overviews, at least for now, Romanian businesses, publishers, and content creators may see a rebound in organic traffic. More searchers will have to click on actual web pages to get the information they need, returning visibility to websites that were previously pushed further down the page.

Recently, a study on the traffic drop for news platforms in Romania showed between 40 and 70% loss in organic traffic for famous online platforms, including ziare.com, click.ro or even stiripesurse.

Expert Opinion on AI Overviews Removal – Is It Temporary?

To understand the potential implications, Valahia News spoke with Adam C., founder of TUYA Digital – SEO & Digital Marketing.

This is a significant shift. We’ve spent months advising clients on how to adapt to the reduced visibility caused by AI Overviews, with this feature gone, even temporarily, the playing field changes. Websites have a chance to regain some of the traffic they lost. It’s hard to say if it’s temporary or not or if it’s for all queries or specific ones. Google runs a lot of regional tests. This might be temporary, due to the recent launch of ChatGPT 5, or it could be connected to ongoing discussions in the EU around AI transparency and copyright. Either way, smart marketers will use this time to double down on organic SEO.

Adam C., TUYA Digital – SEO & GEO on the removal of the AI Overviews feature in Romania on August 8th

Google has not issued an official statement regarding the removal of AI Overviews for Romanian users or the European markets. It could be a glitch in the Matrix or a temporary decision based on the recent effects of the Google July algorithm update. Until then, the change remains unexplained.

Valahia News will continue monitoring the situation and provide updates if Google confirms whether this is a temporary test, a compliance-related pause, or a permanent removal.

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Traffic Management: The “Green Light” Project

One of Bucharest’s most pressing challenges is its congested traffic, which makes it the second city in Europe by time lost in traffic. To address this issue, Google’s “Green Light” project, which has been successfully tested in other major cities, is being considered for implementation. This system uses artificial intelligence to analyze traffic patterns and adjust traffic lights in real time, reducing congestion and minimising waiting times at intersections. By optimizing traffic flow, the project could lead to a noticeable decrease in travel times and a reduction in pollution from idling vehicles.

Modernizing Heating Systems

Bucharest’s outdated heating infrastructure is another significant concern. By implementing advanced monitoring technologies, Google’s expertise could help modernize the city’s heating system. This would involve using sensors and AI solutions to detect leaks and faults before they become significant, thereby reducing heat loss and frequent breakdowns. Additionally, the system could optimize energy consumption by adjusting heat distribution based on external temperatures and neighborhood needs.

Broader Digital Transformation

Bucharest’s partnership with Google is part of a broader effort to transform Bucharest into a more efficient and modern city. Other focus areas include optimizing public transportation, enhancing public safety, and monitoring air quality. The collaboration also aims to streamline administrative processes through digital solutions, such as online tax payments and simplified bureaucratic procedures.

A Hub for Innovation

Bucharest’s status as a regional hub, with over 400 Google employees, makes it an attractive location for extending these technologies. The city is poised for a significant digital transformation, and this partnership with Google marks an essential step in its modernization journey.

By embracing digital innovation, Bucharest is set to become a more sustainable and livable city, offering its residents improved public services and a higher quality of life. If these projects are successfully implemented, they could significantly enhance the daily experience of Bucharest’s inhabitants, making the city a model for urban development in Eastern Europe.

This partnership aligns with the Romanian government’s broader efforts to enhance digital infrastructure and public services. Recently, the government signed a memorandum of understanding with Google to collaborate on cloud technologies, cybersecurity, and digital services, further solidifying Romania’s position as an attractive market for technology investments.

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Instead of the proper address in Otopeni, Google Maps shows a random address in the Primaverii neighbourhood in the center of Bucharest.

Other details on the listing are also wrong, mentioning that the address belongs to “The Kuwait State Embassy.” Also, the website is mentioned as kuwait.com.

When trying to suggest changes to this particular listing, Google says there is a ‘server error’

To properly reach Bucharest Airport, choose the listing mentioning “PLECARI” in the name (Romanian translation for DEPARTURES), meaning this one:

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As seen above, this sort of AI-generated answer is placed above the organic feed results. That means that users won’t need to browse ten organic results on Google’s first page to find out what the generated answer offers – how to clean fabric. This impacts the organic traffic that HGTV, in this case, which is the first organic result, would have gotten, as well as the rest of the websites that are ranking for these keywords.

So, how much would this impact the organic traffic?

According to a rather complicated equation used by TUYA Digital to determine the drop in organic traffic following the introduction of this AI-based feature, the average we should expect is 8.45%, with variations according to your average position on various keywords.

DETAILED CTR IMPACT OF GENERATIVE RESULTS ON ORGANIC TRAFFIC

Here are the calculated impacts for positions 1-10 using the revised formula, which incorporates additional factors such as query type, SERP features, and device type:

There is more to be understood, even by Google itself, in terms of algorithm, industries targeted, and keywords triggering this AI Overviews feature. Still, one thing is clear: like Bing introduced Copilot in its classic search, Google introduced Gemini, its Generative Engine, and called this feature AI Overviews. This was their answer to Microsoft’s move. Yet, this impacts the organic traffic.

So, 8.45% might not sound like much, but imagine you live out of a fixed revenue from your online business and you suddenly got it dropped by 10%, this is when you were positioned as number 1 in the feed. Would you care for this drop? But of course you would!

The good news is that this feature has not been rolled out in Europe. The bad news is that Google plans to do so by the end of 2024. This offers European businesses plenty of time to prepare for this change and to adopt generative engine optimization, which is quite a change in the SEO game.

GEO might become the next SEO or, as some experts call it, an additional feature the SEO agencies should include in their services. Either way, the era of generative engines has just begun, and you are either prepared for it or disappear from the market.

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TUYA Digital’s recent article delves into the nuances of this update, shedding light on the fundamental changes and implications for online visibility and search rankings.

According to TUYA Digital’s analysis, the March 2024 Core Update represents a significant step beyond previous algorithm updates, emphasizing the importance of quality content, user experience, and adherence to Google’s guidelines. This shift underscores Google’s commitment to rewarding websites prioritizing relevance, expertise, and trustworthiness in their content while penalizing those using manipulative tactics or offering low-value information.

Adam C from TUYA Digital summarizes the essence of this update.

Quality content is no longer optional; it’s a prerequisite for sustainable online visibility in the post-update era. This sentiment encapsulates the core message of Google’s algorithm update, highlighting the critical role of high-quality, original content in securing a prominent position in search results and maintaining long-term SEO success. In response to the update, website owners and digital marketers are urged to reassess their content strategies, focusing on creating valuable, engaging content that resonates with their target audience and aligns with Google’s evolving search quality standards. By prioritizing content quality, user experience, and ethical SEO practices, websites can adapt to the changing SEO landscape and enhance their online presence in the wake of the March 2024 Core Update.

Adam C., digital strategist at TUYA Digital on the latest Google Algorithm Update in March

As the digital ecosystem continues to evolve, staying abreast of algorithm updates and industry trends is paramount for businesses seeking to thrive in the competitive online space. TUYA Digital’s insights and Adam C’s perspective are valuable guides for navigating the complexities of Google’s latest algorithm update and charting a course toward sustainable online visibility and success.

The March 2024 Core Update by Google marks a pivotal moment in the SEO landscape, emphasizing the significance of quality content and user-centric strategies in achieving and maintaining online visibility. By embracing these principles and leveraging insights from industry experts like TUYA Digital, businesses can adapt to the evolving digital landscape and position themselves for success in the dynamic world of search

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A Trio of Power: Ultra, Pro, and Nano

At the core of Gemini’s design are three versions: Ultra, Pro, and Nano. Each variant is optimized for specific tasks, offering unprecedented flexibility and efficiency. Whether for intricate tasks on large data centers or efficient functioning on mobile devices, Gemini easily adapts, showcasing Google’s prowess in versatile AI solutions.

Bard’s Transformation with Gemini

Bard, Google’s counterpart to OpenAI’s ChatGPT, now boasts a massive upgrade with the integration of Gemini. Initially, Bard will utilize Gemini Pro, enhancing its ability to perform advanced reasoning, planning, and understanding in more than 170 countries. This upgrade is not just a step forward; it’s a quantum leap in AI chatbot capabilities.

In 2024, Bard is set to evolve further with the introduction of Bard Advanced, powered by Gemini Ultra. This version is expected to expand Bard’s functionality to comprehend and interact with various information types, including text, images, audio, video, and code.

A Multimodal Marvel

One of Gemini’s standout features is its multimodal understanding. Unlike conventional models, Gemini is inherently multimodal, allowing it to process and integrate different types of information seamlessly. This capability makes it an invaluable tool in diverse fields, from scientific research to financial analysis.

Performance That Sets New Benchmarks

Gemini’s performance is nothing short of extraordinary. It surpasses human experts in Massive Multitask Language Understanding and outshines existing models in the most widely used academic benchmarks. Furthermore, its proficiency in coding tasks sets a new standard in AI capabilities.

Beyond Bard: Gemini in Google’s Search Generative Experience

Google’s ambition with Gemini extends beyond Bard. The company is experimenting with incorporating Gemini into its Search Generative Experience, enhancing the speed and quality of search results. This application underscores Gemini’s potential to revolutionize how we interact with information in the digital age.

This is ultimately going to influence the SEO market worldwide. We will be able, as users, to get more results that are appropriate to what we are looking for, and this will make SEO experts adapt their strategy to this new tool from Google. We expect a drastic change in Google algorithms in the coming months, undoubtedly influencing organic traffic and SERPs.

Catalin ADAM – Head of SEO @ TUYA Digital – SEO & Digital Marketing

With the introduction of Gemini and its integration into Bard, Google has once again proven its leadership in AI innovation. This development enhances the user experience and pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in AI, marking a significant milestone in the journey towards more advanced and intuitive AI systems.

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After Bard’s launch in Europe, the excitement around this fresh AI product has grown exponentially. Experts tested Bard from multiple perspectives and concluded that, even though Bard had all the chances to come out as a clear winner, ChatGPT was way ahead.

You can check the link to understand the methodology used to compare Bard with ChatGPT: Bard vs ChatGPT experiment.

In short, the SEO experts from TUYA Digital offered the same prompt to both Bard and GPT4, the latest version from OpenAI. This is the original prompt:

Hi. I would like you to act like an expert in SEO. Specifically, SEO for Google, but also for Bing. I would like you to write a comprehensive, thoroughly documented article on the topic “best SEO practices”. The article is to be published on an SEO agency blog, so it has to be documented and optimized for the keywords “best SEO practices”. The aim of this article is to inform the readers about the best SEO practices you are aware of and which matter the most when it comes to Google ranking. Here we target both SEO professionals, but also individuals with general to little knowledge of SEO. Also, the ultimate aim of the article should be to rank as high as possible on Google. I want the search engine to find it highly valuable and to place it higher in SERPs. Also, please use a human-like writing style, such as for the text not to be detected as written by AI.

The prompt inserted both in Bard and ChatGPT4 during the experiment

The result is that both software products offered an article. Both were asked to develop the original article and the company checked the final version.

Even though both articles lack consistency, ChatGPT’s article was more structured and better optimized and it even passed the AI detection software: Text Classifier. Not only that, but GPT4 produced an article with fewer grammar issues than Bard, which made GPT4 a clear winner.

Bard has a friendlier interface and it even has additional features, such as including pictures in the results. But at this moment, technically, GPT4 is way better for professionals who want to produce optimized text.

This doesn’t mean that Bard can’t be used on a daily basis, just like an assistant. For sure, Bard will evolve quickly, as Google is one giant company with infinite resources in terms of funds and data. Yet, GPT4 is ahead at this point.

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It is not the only app that the European Union forbade in European countries. So far, Lemon8 and Threads are waiting for their approval, but this could be a matter of months before the EU watchdogs will finally approve their release.

On Thursday, July 13, Google announced Bard’s most extensive expansion. Bard is now available in most of the world and is the most widely spoken language. And the mother company is preparing to launch new features to help users better customize their experience, boost their creativity and get more done.

Now European users can interact with Bard in new places and languages

Starting Thursday, July 13, Europeans can collaborate with Bard in over 40 languages, including Arabic, Chinese, German, Hindi, Spanish, and Romanian. You can now access Bard in more places, including Brazil and Europe. Google has engaged with experts, policymakers and privacy regulators on this expansion.

European users can get more customized responses

Bard offers multiple features to European users. Among them, as the company has announced, there are:

• Listen to responses: Sometimes, hearing something out loud can help you approach your idea differently. That’s why, starting on July 13, you can listen to Bard’s responses. This is especially helpful if you want to hear the correct pronunciation of a word or listen to a poem or script. Simply enter a prompt and select the sound icon to hear Bard’s answers. This feature is now live in over 40 languages.
• Easily adjust Bard’s responses: You can now change the tone and style of Bard’s responses to five different options: simple, long, short, professional or casual. For example, you can ask Bard to help write a marketplace listing for a vintage armchair and shorten the response using the drop-down. This feature is live in English and will expand to new languages soon.

Bard boosts your productivity

Four new Bard features are also launching today to help you get more done:

• Pin and rename conversations: you can revisit prompts, so Google is adding new ways to pin and rename your conversations with Bard. When you start a conversation, you’ll see options to pin, rename and pick up recent conversations in the sidebar. For example, if you ask Bard to help you compare outdoor sports for the summer, you can revisit the tips later. This feature is now live in over 40 languages.

• Export code to more places: Bard has just added a new feature allowing users to export Python code to Replit and Google Colab. This feature is now live in over 40 languages.

• Share responses with friends: Google also made sharing part or all of your Bard chat with your network easier. With shareable links, you can share your ideas and creations with others. This feature is live in over 40 languages.
• Use images in your prompts: Images are a big part of how we put our imaginations to work. At I/O,  Google announced it was bringing the capabilities of Google Lens into Bard. Whether you want more information about an image or need help with a caption, you can now upload images with prompts, and Bard will analyze the photo to help. This feature is live in English but will soon expand to new languages.

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The ranking displays the top three Google searches by Romanians in 2022 between popular searches, home recipes and movies.

What Romanians searched for on Google in 2022

Looking back at 2022, it can be said that this was a year with other major changes. From the much-desired pandemic freedom to military confrontations and socio-political conflicts, 2022 was certainly not a boring one from the point of view of Google searches.

Of course, when it comes to Romanian searches, it seems that a movie would work perfectly between world conflicts. The searches of Romanians are diverse, and at first glance, the searches are mainly focused on free time activities and worldwide popular news.

But without further ado, let’s look at the outcomes listed below.

Movies:

1. Team building
2. Capra cu trei iezi (The Goat with Three Kids) – huge success in Romania
3. Black Adam
4. Thor love and thunder
5. Morbius
6. 365 days: This day
7. Encanto
8. Top Gun
9. Uncharted
10. Spider man: No way home

It seems that this year Romanians enjoyed Romanian films. Two of the best-seller cinematic creations were produced in Romania, and they are now in the top 2 most searched movies in Romania. The rest of the films in this list were well received by the international audience. It is no surprise that Romanians also sought out this kind of movie, being extremely receptive to the globalization phenomenon.

Recipes

1. Brownie
2. Traditional lamb soup
3. Zacuscă (traditional Romanian recipe)
4. Pască fără aluat (traditional recipe)
5. Cozonac cu nuca rețeta bunicii (traditional recipe)
6. Tempura
7. Pancakes
8. Balmos
9. Ciorbă a la grec (traditional recipes)
10. Macarons

Romanians are probably champions at searching for recipes on the Internet and experimenting at home. It can be seen that most searches are traditional Romanian recipes, which is different from last year when most of them were world-wide known recipes.

Popular Searches

1. Ukraine
2. Census
3. Queen Elisabeth
4. Russia
5. Nosfe (Romanian singer)
6. Florin Salam (Roma singer)
7. iPhone 14
8. Putin
9. Eurovision
10. Climate change

Ukraine and Russia were in everyone’s searches on Google, being an event with a global impact. The war at the gates of Europe attracted the attention of the whole world, especially the Romanians, whose borders are near Ukraine. Of course, the death of Queen Elizabeth II, another major event in 2022, was highly searched on Google.

2022 was a year with a strong global impact, similar to 2021, and this can be seen in the similarities of international Google Searches as well.

For further information about Romanian Year in Search 2022, explore the official link.

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According to a Bitdefender press release, the applications changed their names and icons after being downloaded by users, making it difficult to recognize them. Additionally, they requested special permissions after installation so they could display advertisements above other running programs.

The applications discovered have accumulated millions of downloads, and the attackers have even developed new versions that allow them to be more effectively hidden on devices. The apps are hard to identify after installation but can be deleted like any other app if found. Although their main goal is to show ads, they will likely try to mimic user interaction and click on ads themselves. The same advertising system which attackers control can be used to promote much more dangerous cyber threat campaigns.

Bitdefender, press release

Additionally, customers can follow several pieces of advice from Bitdefender experts:

• Especially when rights are requested that have nothing to do with the functionality of the application, be cautious when granting permissions to applications that are being installed (for example, access to the list of contacts);
• It does not mean everything is safe if an application is installed from the official stores. In this context, a security solution must be used that can detect abnormal behaviours and which scans each application upon installation or during the update process, paying particular attention to applications that require special permissions, such as Accessibility;
• Pay close attention to applications with few user ratings, especially if downloaded frequently;

Bitdefender users will soon have access to the new Bitdefender technology that examines an application’s behaviour after its installation.

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